Trump's 2016 tax returns won't go public

The White House on Monday said President Trump's 2016 tax returns are under audit, and so will not be publically released.

The announcement comes after an Easter weekend when thousands marched across America, demanding for Trump to show how much tax he paid last year.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) SEAN SPICER, White House Press Secretary

"The president is under audit, it's a routine one that continues, and I think the American public knows clearly where he stands, this was something he made very clear during the election cycle, excuse me, hold on, and so the one time that it was done. I think the people understand how successfull the president has been and how much he's paid in taxes. But it's the same, we're under the same audit that existed and so nothing has changed."

On Sunday, Trump questioned if protesters over his tax returns were being paid, responding to the weekend's nationwide demonstrations seeking for the release of his tax returns.

He tweeted that, quote:

GRAPHIC - DONALD TRUMP, TWITTER

"Someone should look into who paid for the small organized rallies yesterday. The election is over!"

The president tweeted again earlier Monday, saying,

GRAPHIC - DONALD TRUMP, TWITTER

"I did what was an almost an impossible thing to do for a Republican-easily won the the Electoral College! Now Tax Returns are brought up again?"

Some U.S. media reports commented that Trump's latest remarks imply that he has no intention to issue his tax returns.

Demonstrations have been held across dozens of U.S. cities and towns, calling for Trump to publish his accounts. Thousands have turned out in Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and in Palm Beach, where Trump was spending Easter Weekend.

The Trump camp repeatedly refused to release Trump's tax returns, saying they were under audit.

However, many tax experts point out that Trump is free to release the information himself.

While it's not obligatory for U.S. presidents to release their tax returns -- nearly all U.S. presidents have voluntarily released them since the 1970s.